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Anatomical figure of a pregnant woman, Europe, 1701-1800

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Ivory anatomical figures were popular items in the 1600s and 1700s. This example shows a pregnant female. The torso is removable to show the uterus with a foetus, and internal organs such as the intestines, heart and lungs. These ivory models are almost always shown as pregnant and normally came as a pair with a male equivalent. The organs are not very detailed so it is unlikely that the model was used for medical teaching. The figure was possibly used to teach young couples about anatomy and pregnancy or it may have been a collector’s item.